New M50 owner - my two cents

[ozoner]

After 3 months with my new 2008 M50, I wanted to post my impressions of the bike, and particularly address some of the threads in this forum that were very helpful to me in evaluating the bike.

Short and sweet - it was an excellent purchase for me - exactly what I wanted and hoped for. I have been riding for 20_ years, and I wanted a good communiting bike with the potential for the occasional longer trip.




Like
- I don't mind the seat at all - I have done several 250+ mile rides with no severe adverse affects, and for commuting it is just fine.
- Exhaust note is fine with me. Granted, I start up at 5 AM and don't want to piss off the neighbors. While I wouldn't mind louder pipes, I am fine with the current stock setup.
- Brakes are fine with me. Yes, it would be nicer to have rear disc, but I find that I have plenty of stopping power with the current setup. Very comparable to my previous bikes, and makes it harder to over-brake in wet weather.


Don't Like
- It doesn't REALLY need a 6th gear IMHO, but it does start to get a bit buzzy starting in the mid-70s. I'd like to have it be 800-1200 RPM less at 70mph. No big deal, though.
- The headlight bulb that came on the bike is a joke, bordering on downright unsafe. Even hi-beam on the original light is dimmer than low-beam on the replacement bulb I put in.
- The mirrors are awkwardly-positioned. I find myself having to pull in my elbows while I am riding so that I can see what is behind me. They either need to be out a little further, or up a little higher.
- Site glass for oil level = stupid.
- I don't like the indicator lights on the tank. I am 6'1", and with a full-face helmet the lower portion of the helmet obscures the indicator lights.
- I'll echo the whine about no auto-cancelling turn signals. It's not rocket science, nor is it expensive.

Overall, I am very happy with the bike - great value for the money, and will serve my needs for quite a while.

[cyclesinct]

Just to add one annoyance to the oil window, the brake fluid window, why would you install it with the window facing away from the driver??!!!

[Mario]

Originally Posted by ozoner

- The mirrors are awkwardly-positioned. I find myself having to pull in my elbows while I am riding so that I can see what is behind me. They either need to be out a little further, or up a little higher.

HAHA I thought I was the only one doing the chicken dance when I am riding

[GeorgiaRoller]

Originally Posted by cyclesinct

Just to add one annoyance to the oil window, the brake fluid window, why would you install it with the window facing away from the driver??!!!

Apparently it's all the rage in Japan to show off your fluid level to ONCOMING traffic!

Originally Posted by ozoner

- I don't mind the seat at all - I have done several 250+ mile rides with no severe adverse affects, and for commuting it is just fine.

Your one of the few my friend. But hey, you just saved yourself $300-$600 by keeping the stock seat!

on the stock headlight bulb opinion.

[cyclechris]

I think I probably have mine about the same amount of time and those are great observations. For me though that seat thing killed me!

When I ride at night and want a better view, I keep the low beams on but squeeze the pass switch, it runs the low beam and high beam at the same time, better than the low beam or the high beam. It doesn't work with the high beam already on though.

[dr death]

excellent review.pretty much my sentiments exactly.
i would like to add the sight hole for the coolant overflow too.maybe not used as much but why bother putting it on the bike?just rip the cover off and have at it.
also,those of you that want to go on longer rides,i cant preach the grasshopper ltd. driver backrest enough.it turned short little rides into however far i want to go.this saturday...orange county choppers,400m round trip.i'm so psyched.